For this introductory activity, we will be using the 5E learning cycle over the course of two class sessions.
Learning objective: Students will investigate and make an informed argument regarding two important issues in educational technology.

For class on March 29:
Engage- To begin this activity surrounding some important issues in educational technology, you will be visiting your ePortfolio page (see links at bottom left) and answering the following questions.
  1. Does technology make a difference in the learning process or could you teach just as well without it?
  2. Are students today fundamentally different than students in the past?

*Please note that this will be the space you will use to introduce yourself as part of your assignment this week. Please put your introductory information above your question responses at that time.

Explore- When you are finished writing your responses, partner up with someone in the class and share your thoughts with him/her. Then, search the web together and help each other find supporting evidence for your responses. Post at least three links to your ePortfolio page below your responses.

Prior class on April 5:
Explain- Read and take notes on your assigned article. You will find the articles in BlackBoard under "Course Documents."
  • Last names beginning with A-G: Clark article
  • Last names beginning with H-L: Kozma article
  • Last names beginning with M-P: Digital Natives/Digital Immigrants article
  • Last names beginning with W: Natives Response article

For class on April 5:
Elaborate-
1) Visit the discussion on the article that you read (see the comment bubbles on the top right of this page). Develop a list of 5-6 points made in your paper. Post your list and respond to at least two others' lists (of those that read the same article as you).
2) Visit the discussion of the opposing view point (Clark and Kozma are opposites and Digital Natives and Natives Response are opposites) and respond to one person telling whether you agree or disagree using evidence from your article to make your point.
3) Visit the discussion boards of the other argument (for example, if you read Clark or Kozma, now visit the Digital Natives and Digital Response). After reading through both discussions, decide who you agree with and post a comment to that discussion board explaining why you agree with them. Use evidence to support your reasoning.

Evaluate- After participating in the discussion boards, return to your ePortfolio page and write a paragraph reflection either supporting or revising your original responses to the questions you answered in the "Engage" portion of this activity based on what you learned from the reading and the other groups.